SAN JOSE, Calif. - In what will be a long overdue moment, softball is finally returning to the Olympic Games today. After being left out of the ceremonies since 2008, softball (and baseball) will make it's triumphant return with six teams battling for Gold in Tokyo. Three of those six teams feature a Spartan flavor as former San Jose State Softball players Michelle Cox (Australia), Emma Entzminger (Canada) and Suzy Brookshire (Mexico) will all take the diamond for their respective countries.
Cox, an outfielder from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, starred for the Spartans from 2012-15, During her time at SJSU, she established herself as one of the top players in program history, finishing with a school-record 164 runs scored. A three-time all-conference selection and Cosida Academic All-American, she also ranks in the top five in the SJSU record book in career hits, stolen bases and batting average.
Entzminger played for the Spartans from 2015-18, in which time the Victoria, British Columbia product also put her stamp in the Spartan Records. The infielder ranks sixth all-time in on-base percentage and third in career hits.
Brookshire played one season with the Spartans in 2020, starting all 26 games of the shortened season. She was an All-Mountain West selection after leading the team in home runs (8), runs (22) and slugging percentage (.808).
The opening round of the softball tournament begins today with all six teams in action at the Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium in Sabara, Fukushima. The opening game between Australia and host-Japan can be watched live on NBC Sports Network.
Australia (Cox) vs. Japan - 5:00 p.m. PT, NBCSN
Mexico (Brookshire) vs. Canada (Entzminger) - 11:00 p.m. PT
For the full Olympic Softball schedule click here.